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Synopsis

Fate/Zero takes place 10 years prior to the events of Fate/stay night, detailing the events of the 4th Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City. The War of the Holy Grail is a contest in which seven magi summon seven Heroic Spirits to compete to obtain the power of the "Holy Grail," which grants a miracle. After three inconclusive wars for the elusive Holy Grail, the Fourth War commences.

Founded by the Einzbern, Makiri, and Tohsaka families centuries ago, the Einzbern family is determined to achieve success after three successive failures, no matter the cost. As a result, they have elected to bring the hated magus killer, Kiritsugu Emiya, into their ranks, despite his methods and reputation as a skilled mercenary and a hitman who employs whatever he can use to accomplish his goals. Though Kiritsugu had once wanted to become a hero who could save everyone, he has long since abandoned this ideal upon realizing that saving one person comes at the cost of another's life. For the sake of humanity, he will ruthlessly destroy anything and anyone who threatens the peace of others.

However, Kiritsugu finds himself deeply torn between the love he has found for his new family—his wife Irisviel and their daughter Illya—and what he must do to obtain the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, Kiritsugu's greatest opponent appears in the form of Kirei Kotomine, a priest who cannot find any sense of fulfillment in his life and sets his sights on Kiritsugu as the possible answer to the emptiness he feels.

Type-Moon have made a habit of finding success with their dark blend of magic and supernatural elements in modern day settings, but with the release of the Fate/Stay Night visual novel on the PC in 2004, the developer seemed to have found its flagship title. Unfortunately things never really work out the way people expect, and while Studio Deen's 2006 anime adaptation of the "Fate" storyline was well received by fans, many who were unfamiliar with the source material found it all a bit ... juvenile.

At the end of 2006 the developer began collaborating with Nitroplus in order to create a prequel light novel series, but this time the story was penned by the relatively unknown Urobuchi Gen (with Type-Moon co-founder Takeuchi Takashi providing illustrations). Set ten years before the events in the visual novel, Fate/Zero chronicles the events leading up to and during the fourth Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City, Japan - the same place where the battle will be held in Fate/Stay Night. After three successive failures in the contest, the Einzbern family recruits the notorious mercenary Emiya Kiritsugu, also known as the "Mage Killer" - a man who is willing to use whatever means are necessary to realise his goals.

Meanwhile, the other principal magic families - Matou and Tohsaka - are preparing for the coming conflict, and although the church is taking part as well, they have also sent someone to assist the Tohsaka family - Kotomine Kirei.

At first glance it may seem as though Fate/Zero is just another action anime, but nothing could be further from the truth. The series has a very different tone than either Fate/Stay Night or Unlimited Blade Works, and in many ways it has more in common with the dark, brooding atmosphere of the Kara no Kyoukai movies. That said, the series does assume that the viewer has some familiarity with the franchise, but this is balanced by a much tighter plot than that of either of its predecessors, and more focus on preparation, planning, and even dialogue between the different parties. The result is that the narrative has far more depth and structure than one might expect in a supernatural action anime, and there are layers of subtext that are gradually added as the series progresses.

One of the most noticeable aspects of Fate/Zero is that it's a far more mature story than the original visual novel or its adaptations, and unlike many other shows, there are very few occasions where the characters engage in pointless conflicts or endeavours. The series carefully tries to avoid insulting the viewer's intelligence by adopting a patient, methodical build-up to the action set pieces, and on many occasions the story focuses on information gathering and planning. In addition to this, the battle lines shift constantly as the combatants form short-term alliances in order to counter the moves of other opponents, but there's always the understanding that the foundation of these is nothing more than "the enemy of my enemy".

In truth, this anime has far better examples of tactics and strategy than anything found in Code Geass, and certain plots are Machiavellian enough to give Death Note a run for its money.

When it comes to production values, Fate/Zero could be considered the final evolution of everything Type-Moon and Ufotable have learned from each other during their long collaboration on the Kara no Kyoukai franchise. The series looks every bit as good as one might expect, and the darker colour palette is offset by the high standard of animation. That said, although the action sequences are fluid and very well choreographed, the real testament to the quality of Ufotable's work are the subtle differences in the way the characters move.

While there are plenty of new faces in this prequel, it's actually the design of recurring characters like Sabre that really sets the standard. Fate/Stay Night's popularity turned her into one of the most iconic female leads in anime, but while she may appear to be exactly the same in Fate/Zero, there's an edge to her features and a preciseness to her movements that was missing in the original series. This fact is also true for the characters that are unique to this show, and even Tohsaka Rin's "adventure" has been given the same level of care and attention to detail.

The series opens with a well choreographed sequence that blends action with a montage of the main participants in the Holy Grail War, all set to the rather pacey rock song "Oath Sign" by LiSA. Each episode closes with "Memoria" by Eir Aoi, a bittersweet rock ballad that fits well with the images of the heroic spirits as pieces on a game board and at moments in their own history. Fate/Zero also has one of the most diverse scores in a 13 episode anime, with martial themes, operatic pieces, strange little tunes with drums or pianos as the major instrument, and more besides. The audio effects or of a very high quality, and the clash of steel on steel is as sharp and clear as the sound of the lightning whenever Rider makes a dramatic appearance.

One of the areas where Fate/Zero excels is the dialogue, and while there are occasions where conversations go on a bit too long, the script is intelligently written, rational, and insightful. One of the best examples of this is Rider's discourse on the true nature of kingship and Saber's reaction to it, but even that is nothing more than words on paper as everything lies in the delivery - so it's a good thing that the acting is of a high standard.

Kawasumi Ayako reprises her role as the King of Knights (Saber/Arturia) from Fate/Stay Night and Unlimited Blade Works, but her performance here is markedly different. Her portrayal of Saber is colder, deadlier, and far more focused than before, while Tomokazu Seki's performance as the King of Heroes (Archer/Gilgamesh), is more arrogant, more proud. That said, it's Ootsuka Akio in the role of the King of Conquerors (Rider/Iskander), who really steals the show, and his testosterone-fuelled proclamations and battle-born wisdom are one of the pillars that support the series.

When it comes to development, a large group of characters often means that some will undoubtedly fall by the wayside. Fate/Zero neatly sidesteps the entire issue of development because it's first and foremost a prequel of an existing story, but in addition to this the series has created a set of individuals who leave extremely strong impressions on the viewer, and much like Baccano!, there is a distinct lack of a true main character. Because of these factors the series can focus on showing how each of the combatants became what they are, and this plays a major part in one's enjoyment of the anime.

The emphasis on characterisation rather than development allows for a remarkable degree of definition, and although it's ultimately the personalities of each individual that captures the viewer's attention, standing at the top of them all is the King of Conquerors - Rider. His addition to the franchise has been nothing short of a revelation, and while die-hard fans will continue to worship the ground that Saber and Archer (not Gilgamesh, the other one), walk on, Rider's enjoyment of life, his exuberance and almost boyish eagerness for battle and glory, have captured the imaginations of many fans.

In many respects he, more than any other character, is the epitome of the heroes of old, but simply having a bunch of overzealous combat junkies beating each other to a pulp isn't really entertainment (unless you have an IQ equal to your shoe size), so there has to be something to balance it - and there is. Each of the mages taking part in the Holy Grail War is more like a chessmaster, planning as many moves ahead as possible, whilst preparing themselves for anything their opponents may try.

The simple fact is that Fate/Zero wouldn't work as either a story or entertainment if it was just the mages or the heroes, and it's this aspect of the series that separates it from not just its predecessors, but also many other action anime out there.

Unfortunately it's not all sweetness and light.

One of the main criticisms of this series is the episode about the young Tohsaka Rin, which many people found unnecessary. Now although there's some truth to that perception, one could also have the opinion that Rin's actions tie-in to an event in the previous episode, and together they lead up to the end of the series. Both are fair arguments, but in all honesty the whole thing doesn't really fit with the rest of the anime, and it seems like nothing more than an attempt to allow Matou Kariya some long overdue screen-time.

Fate/Zero isn't a perfect show, but while it does have several minor issues (and one "filler" episode), it does exactly what it sets out to do - capture the attention of the audience and make them want more. The story is intelligent, and while conversations and discussions can sometimes feel a little tedious, the dialogue is often quite interesting - moreso than the show's predecessor's anyway. Although the series can boast stylish, fast-aced action set-pieces, it also studiously avoids combat for the sake of gratuitous violence.

That said, Fate/Zero is still a prequel series, and at this point only half of the story has been told. Unfortunately the anime industry has a habit of messing things up, but given the quality of this show, the fact that the original story was written by Urobuchi Gen, and the knowledge that the series is being produced by Type-Moon's long time collaborators - Ufotable, fans can be cautiously optimistic about the second installment.

Being the prequel of the well known franchise Fate/Stay Night, Fate/zero certainly captured the attention of many very easily. What is immediately clear about this production though is not only does it match its predecessor, it far surpasses it in every way imaginable. Whether it be the directing, visuals, character exposition, or anything you can possibly think of, Fate/zero manages to move into a class of its own. In the end, this all adds up to a much more complex and interesting tale, which one will certainly not be soon to forget.

The very base of Fate/Zero is no different from Fate/Stay Night. It revolves around something called the Holy Grail War, a war between 7 magus or masters (Magic users) who through the power of the grail summon heroic spirits who are people of legend, historical fame, or myth to do battle with each other to claim ownership of the grail which is said to be able to grant the owner any wish. But while the base of this story is pretty much the same as Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Zero is decidedly more dark, gritty, and violent. Any viewer who has taken care to watch the predecessor may initially be disoriented by tonal shifts in the universe, but if one is willing to move past this, there is undoubtedly a rewarding experience awaiting.

There are several things that Fate/Zero does impeccably well, but perhaps one of the most easily enjoyable aspects of the show is the chess like manner in which the war is carried out. The conflicts are enthralling in many ways, but what adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the show is how each move made by the characters is a well thought out, planned action. The masters constantly balance every decision with pros and cons and tries to maneuver through the war in the best manner possible. The war does not consist of mindless brawling and action and it is usually the best prepared individuals that benefit the most throughout the story. As a result, the action in this show is much more layered and hence captivating than that of your standard action show.

Of course though, this show is about much more than seeing entertaining action, and cool magical powers. What the show really is at its heart is a very engrossing spiritual journey. The cast, particularly the masters and servants, are all engaged in a battle that defines their goals, wishes, and motivations in life. They all engage in a conflict for which their fate is solely in their own hands. Each character is forced to understand themselves and their foes as they continue on their quest. Indeed, Fate/Zero is very much so a character study, and a very captivating one at that. This is primarily owed to its excellent cast that surely will manage to intrigue just about anybody willing to look beyond the on the surface elements of the Fate universe.

An interesting note about the cast in Fate/Zero though is that it mostly consists of older men. This is particularly noteworthy because so few anime today dare to make a cast of older men. It showcases just how a story with older cast members, even if they are men, can be quite entertaining and that perhaps the same old tired formulas do not always need to be employed to reach certain audiences. A story does not always have to be about high school kids, and hopefully this show can set an example of that.

One thing that most certainly not be forgotten though in this story is just how much it excels at the simple things. Of course as always, studio Ufotable provides excellent visuals (Though perhaps a bit stagnant at times in animation), the show has very solid direction, a very nice OST as displayed again by the talented Yuiji Kaijura, and excellent writing as expected of the now famed Urobuchi Gen. Perhaps most of all though is that Fate/Zero manages to capture the essence of its source material supremely well. This is made apparent by even the littlest of details such as the way they truly make the servants seem super human in their abilities compared to their masters or the way they frame the dialogues between the characters as they quibble over their philosophies, hopes and goals. Little touches like these just add so much more to the experience and really display how much care and effort are put into the production. This is something I felt was sorely missing in Fate/Stay Night, much to its detriment.

Ultimately Fate/Zero is a high class production. It is something that can be both thrilling, and intellectually satisfying at the same time. It displays a level of care and detail that anyone should be able to appreciate. But most of all, Fate/Zero is a quality piece of entertainment that one will certainly not be soon to forget.

****NOTE****

Fate/Zero is a prequel of Fate/Stay Night. Some of the differences between the two can be quite shocking since really, the Fate/Stay anime was an extremely poor adaption by Studio DEEN. For newcomers into the Fate universe I highly suggest if you can to instead play the Fate/Stay Night game in preparation for watching Fate/Zero if you are interested enough. It is an extremely enjoyable story, that I think is every bit as good as Fate/Zero and I think should really be experienced the way it was meant to be experienced. This means none of DEEN's budget cutting, anime original arc injections, poor scripting, etc. If there is one thing that was made extremely obvious during Fate/Zero it's that Ufotable gets Fate, and DEEN does not. The level of difference between the two studios in their renditions of the Fate universe is truly incomparable as Ufotable's adaption leaves DEEN's adaption in the dust.read more

Fate/Zero is a critically acclaimed, contemporary fantasy series about the battle between magicians and their Servants, who are historical and legendary heroic figures from the past and mythology, for the ultimate wish granting device, The Holy Grail. While the premise is simple enough to explain, how the series executes this premise is more difficult to explain.

The series is not pure battle; the series is much more about the strategy the contestants use, the intense suspense that results because of it, and the clash of the character's desire for the Grail. In addition, Fate/Zero is about the ideals of the chivalric code that the heroes of old follow, and how far will you go for the greater good. In the world of Fate/Zero, the Grail chooses each contestant based on their motivations for obtaining it, which adds a unique complexity that few shows delve into. The motivations of characters in many works of fiction is often not explained or given much thought, which makes Fate/Zero special.
Of the series that I have seen, Fate/Zero is probably one of the ones that would appeal to a broader audience than most. It is void of the typical cliches that are found in the genre like fan-service, being set in high-school, and over-the-top animation. If you do not mind a dark story with violence, Fate/Zero is a must watch. If you are a fan of shows like Game of Thrones, or any mature fantasy series, then Fate/Zero is something that would likely pique your interest. Something to note however is that the first episode, which twice the length of normal episodes, is majorly exposition heavy as it attempts to explain the premise and set the foundation for the characters. After the first episode however, the pacing improves. Since Fate/Zero is a prequel to the Fate Stay Night series, some parts are confusing at first, however watching the Stay Night is not necessary, especially since I did not watch Fate Stay Night beforehand. Basically, just go with it for the first few episodes until things are made clear.
Aside from the intriguing ideals that Fate/Zero explores, the series has a lot of epic action and suspense, along with well developed characters. Fate/Zero does not have one central character; it revolves around the seven Masters and their seven Servants. Even though Arturia Pendragon, aka Saber, and her master Kiritsugu Emiya are given the most screen-time, they are not necessarily the protagonists. Almost all of the characters are well developed and many of the them have intriguing and often entertaining character traits. While one would assume the Masters are the best characters, the Servants and their respective outlooks on honor, kingship, and chivalry are one of the most fascinating aspect of the series. Since there are so many characters in the series, discussing each one, as I typically do in TV reviews, would take up most of the review. However, some of the historical/mythological figures that the series includes are King Arthur (with a twist to mythos), Alexander the Great, Lancelot, and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.
My only problem with the series is that I did not feel as captivated by it, in that I did not feel as though I had to know what happened next like a series like Death Note, which had me on the edge of my seat. However, towards the later half of the series, I was much more involved in it.

“Mature, innovative, fun and mesmerizing. A journey of epic proportions in a well-grounded mythological world based on reality, a masterpiece”

REVIEW FREE OF SPOILERS!

As I have stated before in my reviews I’ve been watching anime shows for a short period of time -3 years-. And as I’ve said before, thanks to the help/aid of some of my friends, I’ve had one of the best beginnings/introductions to the anime world, and here’s where “FATE/…” comes in, more specifically FATE/STAY NIGHT. [I know this is a “FATE/ ZERO” review]
FATE/S. N. Was the third anime that I watched. I’ve been a fan of magic stories since I can remember, and when you connect: Magic, the modern world and a “dark” “mysterious” mood in the story you have my whole attention –as long as the story is interesting of course-.

So naturally after watching –and loving it- FATE/S.N. I heard that the prequel of FATE/ S.N. was going to be broadcast, so obviously, I was ecstatic.
Back in the day I didn’t really knew about the previous story of “FATE/…” except for the things that where told on STAY NIGHT. So I knew was going to be on an amazing journey on this new chapters/episodes.

Let’s begin…! :D

-STORY: 10-
To put it bluntly it’s a masterpiece. From the first seconds of the first episode, I could see that the story/idea had matured, it wasn’t a show focused –mainly- for a younger audience, now it was darker, more mature story. It revealed more, the preparations that the main characters/fighters had. Comparing S.N. with ZERO, ZERO immerses you -from the start- in the lives of those who were about to compete for the “Holy Grail”, revealing not just characters and situations but the mythology behind it all, AND the magic in it, giving it –the show- a well-grounded myth and not just a plain story that will unfold in the next episodes.

If you’re interested in the occult, or the mysteries, or simply if you like well-founded or good ”epic” stories this IS the anime for you.

-ART: 10-
Colorful. Probably the first thing that catches everyone’s eyes from F/Zero is the Art. The animation IS flawless, perfect, an “eye-candy” to call it somehow. The surrounding ambient is perfectly detailed and believable and the characters are mesmerizing to the point in which you ask yourself what will come on the near future.

If you’re interested in art design, by all means this is for you.

-SOUND: 10-
Personally I’m a guy that places the “sound/music” of a show as one of the most important things of all. And I must say the ambient sounds and music of this show are hypnotizing. Leaving aside the “ambient” sound which are breathtaking and perfect I will “talk” mainly of the music behind the anime.
The soundtrack/score of this anime was composed by Yuki Kajiura (Sword Art Online I & II, Pandora Hearts and Noir)

Yuki Kajiura’s work in this anime is as usual –for her- a work beyond words. To put it bluntly the first song of the score “Fate to Zero” resumes her work perfectly. Its dark, it’s sad, it makes your skin crawl reaching deep in your bones, it’s a soundtrack filled with emotions, and it’s a work of epic proportions, a journey into the dark world of “FATE”. A very memorable soundtrack.
A-MUST-HEAR-SOUNDTRACK.

If you like/love or you’re just interested in not great but amazing music arrangements, this is the show for you.

-CHARACTER: 10-
FATE/ZERO shines for its uniqueness and most importantly for the uniqueness of its characters. This is one of those shows that have a very high amount of MC’s. Usually I avoid this kind of shows/movies for they fail amazingly in one important aspect: the focus, and this –the focus- is one of the most remarkable things in this anime, each character or correctly put each “group” of characters is given a very important place/moment. Each one has their own goal and believes which makes each and every one of these characters believable and most importantly, you can get “close” to them.

Another incredible aspect of the characters within “FATE/ ZERO” is the “character development” department in which many shows fail –which is not the case of FATE- Each character changes, matures during the whole season/show. Some change ideologies, some find a new way to fulfill their beliefs, revealing things of themselves to the audience.

If you’re interested in character development THIS IS your show.

-ENJOYMENT & OVERALL: 10-
FATE/ ZERO is one of those shows that leaves you wanting more, and not because they fail to answer things, it leaves you wanting more because of the superb way the show is made.

Recommendations

Both animes are about receiving or meeting a third party to supply you with powers to fight in a survival game, and aim to defeat the other parties to win the game.
Both have groups that build bonds over the time they spend together.

Both focus around a group of people fighting each other to obtain a God-like power. They both take place in modern day (more-or-less) and each character is given a special power to help them fight (Zero=Servants/Nikki=Diaries).

Fate/Zero is basically a prettier and way less convoluted version of Future Diary.

Like survival? Like action? Like good OST and art? Then, both these series may spark some interest as they share the collected theme of capturing a reward upon winning a battle-royale between other characters. Both series has spectacular soundtrack as well.

•both animes are more or less just a bunch of people thrown/expected it to happen, into a game where they will have to battle others until there is 1 winner to obtain enormous power.
•both are different in the way they do battle, as in one the actual person/diary has to die, but the other there 'avatar' has to die, to make them lose and not be in the running to be the victor.
•both contain fair amounts of great action which motivates the viewer for a particular person to win, and a slight somewhat of romance, to also add a bit of humour.
•both animes are different in the way how they act out how to kill others aswell, with MN its dark/malicious/brutally murdering the intended party with mind games and backstabbing with lots of twists throughout the whole show, while F/Z is mainly just action and quick alliances, but it does have its fair share of dark/murdering/evil/malicious bits here and there.
•they are fairly similar in the 'battle royale'/'hunger games' sense that there is only 1 victor. but if you liked one you will possibily like the other.

>Both anime have a "battle royale" background, if you live, you win a great power, in the other hand if you die, you lose.
>Both have a lot of action, even if they are different in that, Mirai Nikki have a more realistic style (guns, knives etc), Fate/Zero fights are between GDR role (Saber, Archer, Caster, Lancer etc).
>I really enjoyed both anime, hope you will have the same fun if you decide to try them ;)

Both involve a survival game between a group of people aided by a supernatural power in order to win a near omnipotent power. They both feature a large variety of "players" with different motives to win. They both have fantastic, but very different soundtracks.

Both series involve characters fighting each other in a survival game and they must fight each other in order to win whether they defeat or even kill each other.
Both series can be very dark at times with characters facing difficult situations such as loss and death.
Each of the characters in both series have motivations to win and utilize the prize from the victory of the competition. However, within Fate/Zero, there is more emphasis on all of the participants yet in Mirai Nikki, there is more emphasis on Yukiteru and Yuno.
There is action within both series, yet Fate/Zero is much more fluent while Mirai Nikki is more gruesome.

Both animes have similar plot. They focus about death match and strange people that are participating in it.
In the Mirai Nikki, characters are fighting to become a god, while in Fate/Zero they are fighting for Holy Grail, which can make any wish come true.

Same director, same composer, both based of Type Moon novels, along with both containing a similar feel and atmosphere. Both have a mature history. If you like one, you will most definitely like the other.

Similar atmosphere with plenty of tragic characters; both take place in the nasuverse, though the stories themselves are very different. Heavy emphasis on dialogue, but good looking animation regardless.

Both series have similar art style and dark mood. A myriad of exchange of words between characters of various factions is only to be expected, and whether the dialogue is pretentious or philosophical is really up to the audience to decide. There are also a huge amount of gorgeous blade and magic action in both series. In the end, it is really no surprise that the two series are so much alike. They are both based on Type-Moon novels, produced by Ufotable, and have Yuki Kajiura as the music arranger.

Both are in the Nasuverse! They're also both animated by the same studio: ufotable. And both were originally light novels, both are owned by TYPE MOON, both have OSTs by Yuki Kajiura, AND both have the same director! How could I not recommend this??

You will see the best effects, drawing and styling at those two. Awesome fights, mystery, bright colors! It is a bit more magic and fights in Fate/Zero, while Kara no Kyoukai has more phiplosophical stuff and a bit detective.

• Both anime were produced by Ufotable, Aniplex, Notes,
• Both light novels were made by Type-Moon
• Music for both was by Yuki Kajiura
• Both had vocals by Kalafina (technically, this doesn't apply to Fate/Zero season 1)
• Both directed by Ei Aoki
• Kinoko Nasu worked on both
• Both fantasy-action genre
• Both very mature
I feel like I'm missing some stuff, but I don't think that matters at this point. If you enjoyed one and haven't seen the other, watch it. Be warned that Kara no Kyoukai is certainly not for children.

Both are created by the same writer, Urobuchi Gen, which shows. Homura and Kiritsugu share quite a few traits character-wise, and both shows deal with themes such as the nature of ideals in similar ways.

These are both brilliantly written animes from Gen Urobuchi , featuring beautiful animation and a breathtaking soundtrack from Yuki Kajiura. They may seem like they belong in completely different genres , but both Fate/ Zero and Madoka Magica are dark and deeply poignant tragedies that do an amazing job at exploring and deconstructing their respective themes.

These are both amazing stories in their own right and if you enjoyed one, you will probably love the other.

Similarities:
+ Dark, mature, and unique stories which aren't afraid to extend the boundaries of their genres (survival game for Fate/Zero and magical girl for Madoka Magica)
+ Gen Urobochi + Yuki Kajiura
+ Great animation and character designs
+ Interesting characters with unique motives, emotions, and interests yet you can still relate them to characters from other shows and see how well they fit into their stories

Though not thematically similar, both were originally written by the same person. Fate/Zero has the same slow-paced, yet dark and intellegent style of storytelling that Madoka Magica has and they both feature an equal amount shocking and emotial scenes, as well as some bright, heartwarming scenes just to lighten up the otherwise dark atmosphere. If you enjoyed one, it is unlikely you won't enjoy the other.

So basically both series have people involved in some kind of "game". The servants in fate zero are similar to the game avatars in SAO because they both have abnormal super natural powers. The music for both of these anime are made by Yuki Kajiura

Both series have an emphasis on action with intense battles and impressive animation.
Both series involve a plot that surrounds around winning a game for the sake of survival (Sword Art Online) or gaining prestige or receiving a prize (Fate/Zero).
Both series have dark premises by dealing with themes of death and loss.
Character archetypes are somewhat similar such as Kazuto and Saber both being motivated individuals who wish to win and use swords.

The soundtracks for SAO and Fate/Zero sound very similar. Both are filled with great dramatic themes as well as light sad tunes. They are both of course composed by the legendary Yuki Kajiura. The two shows also have equally superb action sequences and animation.

Strong main male characters in Hei and Kiritsugu, both distant but powerful. 'Contractors' in Darker Than Black are the main source of supernatural power, whereas in Fate/Zero they come from a third party 'Servants'. Both have plots you can sink your teeth into and have a very similar feel to them, though differing plot.

Both shows set a pretty dark mood. There's death involved, which includes a decent amount of blood, which makes both of these shows pretty serious in comparison to shows that only have people getting beat up instead of actually dying. Both shows are set in the near future, where not many things have changed, but enough to where it definitely affects the plots of both shows. Both shows have a decent amount of action, and little to no comedy, but the great action and serious tone make for a great plot. So if that's what you're into, then watch it!

"this release is far from the quality (TRANSLATION) of the movie they released before" Uh, maybe because they _aren't _ doing their own TRANSLATION? (You seriously are an idiot) Well, even so, their release is a very orgasmic one...

10bit.best encode.best translation

+ for fabulous typesetting.

Video quality pales in comparison to commie's

They know how to encode better than commie screenshotcomparison.com/comparison/84470

Great subs

I like the name '-'

They are cool.

the best

Poorfags gonna poor

don't even ask their quality when it comes to TYPE-MOON related stuff

kukuku~

top notch subs! :)

One of the few groups not doing both an 8bit and 10bit release/ "Sigh, the same faggot voting negative on UTW because of the 8-bit thing" Sigh, the same faggot who won't STFU ."LOLOLOL u mad? Mad fag is mad."/LOLOLOL u mad?Mad fag is mad bc they're a fag

Great job, best sub for the show hands down.

UTW~

like a boss

Hi10p

"One of the few groups not doing both an 8bit and 10bit release/// "Sigh, the same faggot voting negative on UTW because of the 8-bit thing" Sigh, the same faggot who won't STFU . ." // LOLOLOL u mad? Mad fag is mad.

Nice typesetting, good accuracy. Don't localise translation up the ass like some other sub groups (looking at you Commie, ditching honorifics for localisation amongst others).

Been following them for about a year now, and have been pleased by their abilities. Fast, good translations, and high quality audio/video.

Excellent subs and encode. If only they would drop stupid shit like karaoke and honorifics...

A+

once again best encoding and subs

Best video quality.

Great!

Faster than other groups, my first choice.

Amaz-zaz-zing!!!~

I'm using it ...

awesome

Great

Great quality, can't complain about anything

Great quality with no distracting errors.

UTW's release had no typos, while other groups like Commie had quite a few.

it's the subbing team i always dl the fz ep from :]

Idiots who can't understand how to make 10bit work are the only people who have any reason to dislike this.

Did a fine job

high quality translations and videos

They are accurate, easy to understand, and the subs are easy on the eyes.

Readable, paced nicely.

dabes

namesake, what do you expect?

Top subs; sub quality is unquestionable, the quality of the video was top notch.

they are just so gangster

The best as always.

Left Japanese name order in, translated things well, translated the opening and ending. High quality release.

best subbing group out there

10 bit

Very accurate translations that are easy to read and understand. By far the most professional Fansub group around. 10/10

Most of the 'translation' is made up entirely, as Commie has nobody on staff who knows Japanese. Lots of memes put in as well to cater to 4chan and reddit. Not actual subtitles of the show, just their own made up lines.

Nice quality

Yawn.

The subs are clear plus they offer good help on 10-bit viewing

these neegas suck dark_sages cock

Good subs and usually on time.

The encode is 200MB less than UTW's - and the quality difference shows.

bad audio

Lol at WMP12 being minimalistic.

Terrible translation.

Terrible subs.

great

first 720p that comes out

lol ^ WMP12

its comie

rip

Shit video quality on top of modifying the script for the worst.
Fuck Commie.

Mediocre video quality, also they didn't even bother to fix NinoNico's translation errors.

terrible a/v as ususal

Poor quality audio/video

Worst version

>WMP
you're an idiot. Still a downvote because their encode sucked dick. UTW's looks much better.

Great translation and I really like the space-saving file size. It looked excellent with the latest version of CCCP.

Slow... Poor encode... Typos...

There were some typos.

"Worm Crests"

Black Screen on WMP 12 using CCCP. Had to use an ugly media player as an alternative (MPC). I have no idea if this has anything to do with some fansubbers deciding to go to Hi10 or not. All I know is that WMP 12 has a super minimalist (while still functio